C. COCO De YOUNG

Many thanks to my readers for your votes on YouTube. I won a really cool iPod nano! It's a great win and perfect for this new Nonna...a nano for Nonna.

I'm off to Thailand. Be back soon.

Wednesday and Thursday are my favorite days of the week. You may be thinking that is because the latter half of the week is near. Perhaps so, but in truth, those are the evenings I attend Toastmaster meetings.
Ten years ago, I joined Toastmasters as a new author looking to improve my public speaking skills. Today, through Toastmasters, I continue to improve both my communication and leadership skills, and my ability to present in front of many diverse groups. The goal is to be the most effective speaker that I can be, and Toastmasters teaches those skills.
Recently I participated in the Toastmaster District 53 YouTube Challenge. I was asked, “What drew you to Toastmasters?” It is a bit of a humorous story about why and how I joined Toastmasters. You can see my response to the challenge by going to the link posted under the picture of the District 53 YouTube button to the left of this blog. Please remember to vote and leave a comment. This is a challenge and the winner will be determined in May.
If you are interested in learning more about Toastmasters, or wish to be a guest at a club near you, visit Toastmasters International. A link is posted to the right of this blog. Don’t hesitate to email me with questions concerning Toastmasters.
Enjoy and thanks for your vote!

Modern technology never ceases to amaze me. It brings together family, friends, and people who otherwise might never have the opportunity to meet, and their gathering happens in cyberspace. My sixth grade teacher once told my parents that I spent too much time daydreaming out the window. What she didn’t know was that I was thinking about my best friend, MaryAnn, who had moved far away. That was many moons ago, long before the Internet, Skype, and a webcam. In fact, it was so long ago that the very thought of coming together in cyberspace would have been subject matter for The Twilight Zone or Outer Limits, two really scary television shows in the 1960’s. My brother, Larry, and I watched them every week. He would fall asleep and I was left sitting there eyes glued to the TV, scared stiff and nails bitten to the skin. Just about the time my nails would start growing back it was time for the next episode.
That is why the possibility of meeting my young readers in cyberspace is such an adventure for me. Oh, how exciting it was when Mrs. Carolyn Bible, a Fifth Grade teacher in Kansas City, Kansas contacted me, requesting an author chat in cyberspace. There we were last Friday, she with her class of 17 great students gathered around a computer at their school in Kansas where they could see me, and I sat in my solarium here in Connecticut where I could see them on the screen of my laptop. WOW! Let me say kudos to you, Mrs. Bible, for bringing us all together – students and an author. Thank you, Mrs. Bible, and to your well-prepared students for a most enjoyable cyberspace visit. A creative teacher, one who goes to the “outer limits” so that his/her students can experience an author chat is a fine teacher indeed.
I still daydream, in fact more so than ever before! I watch scary shows only when Mr. De Young is nearby and promises he won’t fall asleep. However, I have yet to find MaryAnn. So wherever you are, my “best friend forever,” can we set up a cyberspace visit soon? I’ve missed you for a long, long time.

I just can't understand how others find the time to blog, tweet, and be-"friend," the rest of the world. To the many who try to “Facebook” me (including my own family), to those who want to tweet me, and to those who want more “where are you and what are you doing” information on my blog…please know that I am well, busy with speaking engagements, meeting my young readers, tethering my Gotta-Do list, and delegating to my hubby much on the Honey-Do list. In the meantime, hang in there because I have a new and exciting experience coming up at the end of next week… Now, THAT is on my Wanna-Do list and a real tweet…I mean treat!

Today I received sad news that a dear member of the hobo family “Caught the Westbound.” Musician Fred Starner, also known as “Banjo Fred,” brought many a happy tune to hobo gatherings.
Banjo Fred, like others with a quest to give the American hobo a home in U.S. history, told their stories through song. Ten years ago, I set out to research the American hobo, interviewing the rail-riding men and women of the Great Depression to the present day railriders. I, too, learned that there is so much more to their stories…often found in the music the hobos compose and perform, the poems and stories they write, the art and carvings they craft. Banjo Fred understood that, and used his music to keep alive the stories of the American Hobo. We shall miss you, Fred.

I have finally resurfaced after relinquishing my hobo queen crown, and months of wonderful, beautiful family events. Added to that was the fun of our five-week houseguest and hobo brother, FROG. Life is never dull in the De Young home! Most recently, I became an Area Governor in Toastmasters. From Queen to Governor, hmmm, is that considered a lateral move? Truth be told, I have been a member of Toastmasters International for ten years, which enables me to present myself in a royal manner…most of the time. Both positions led, and continue to lead me down unique pathways. As the saying goes, “Once a queen always a queen,” I make use of every rare moment life offers. I recently dubbed Immediate Past District 53 Governor, Karin von Kaenel, as an honorary hobo. Her moniker is “Countess Butterfly” due to her background as a statistician, the logo of butterflies and accompanying motto of “Be the Change You Want to See” she used to inspire all Toastmasters in our district. She also received a walking stick signed by King Stretch and myself, seen in the accompanying photo. Ciao for now, I am off to the next adventure.

In less than two weeks, I relinquish my title as 2008-09 National Hobo Queen. This has been quite a busy year and one that I have thoroughly enjoyed. My deepest gratitude goes to both the town of Britt, Iowa and the Hobo Family for electing me as their ambassador and queen. Many speaking opportunities opened up for me, as well as the opportunity to support our soldiers, veterans, and educate the general public about hobo and tramp art, and the hobo culture of then and now. I shall miss the reaction of others when I tell them that I am the hobo queen. Now that could be another book! However, I will endeavor to ever be a good ambassador for both Britt and the hobos of America…after all “once a queen always a queen.”

Once again, I am looking forward visiting Bucyrus, Ohio over Memorial Day Weekend. Of important news, the Lincoln Funeral Train bell will be at Bucyrus Hobo Day on Saturday, May 23rd.

Many locomotives pulled this famous train through 168 stops from Washington D.C. to Springfield, Ill. However, a locomotive from the Ashtabula shops pulled the train that passed through Crestline, Galion, Iberia, and Columbus. Iberia was where thousands of fleeing slaves were conducted to Oberlin, Sandusky and six Ohio lake ports. The ability to display this bell on Lincoln's 200th birthday year along with the information surrounding it is patriotic and newsworthy.

This posting is a bit belated, but I would like to thank Ms. Charlotte and the town of Amory for their fine hospitality. As the National Hobo Queen I had a grand time in Amory. However, I departed early due to my daughter's arrival HOME...yes HOME, after a 400-day tour of duty in Iraq. AMEN!

This morning I’ve been thinking about my two sisters in Pennsylvania and my son-in-law here in Connecticut. All are wonderful educators. As one who is no longer a full-time teacher but still spends a great deal of time visiting classrooms across this great country, I want to send out a note of gratitude. To all educators everywhere, all grade levels and all subjects…thank you. This time of the school year becomes a bit hectic. Just remember that you are a beacon of hope for our future, our children. Keep the faith.